Across the United Kingdom, communities came together over the weekend to mark a milestone in world history: the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, which signaled the end of the Second World War in the Pacific. From the sweeping lawns of the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to local parks, village greens, and town halls, Britons of all ages paused to honor a generation whose sacrifices shaped the freedoms enjoyed today.
The centerpiece of the national commemorations took place on Friday, August 15, 2025, when King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended a solemn Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire. According to the BBC and the Royal British Legion, the event was jointly sponsored by the government and the Legion, drawing together veterans, dignitaries, and families from across the nation. The Red Arrows soared overhead in tribute, while personal stories and poignant tributes filled the air with a sense of gratitude and reflection.
King Charles, dressed in his military uniform, stood alongside Queen Camilla, who wore an elegant all-white ensemble with classic pearls and a diamond-set military badge from one of her regiments. The Queen’s attire, as reported by The Court Jeweller, included a necklace engraved with her grandchildren’s initials and a brooch in the shape of the Rifles’ cap badge—a nod to her role as Colonel-in-Chief since 2020. Camilla’s understated accessories paid tribute to the enduring legacy of British and Commonwealth soldiers who fought in the Asia-Pacific theater.
During the service, King Charles delivered a moving speech, recalling the momentous announcement by his grandfather, King George VI, on August 15, 1945. “For the millions of families gathered around their wireless sets, and for their loved ones still serving far from home, it was the message a battle-weary world had long prayed for. ‘The war is over,’ declared my grandfather, King George VI, in his address to the nation and Commonwealth on VJ Day eighty years ago today—four short words after six long years of bloodshed, fear, and suffering. Seldom can a simple message have resonated with such a potent mix of relief, celebration, and sorrow for those who never lived to see the glow of freedom’s new dawn.”
The event was marked by moments of deep emotion. Captain Yavar Abbas, a 104-year-old veteran of the Pacific campaign, brought the royal couple to tears as he departed from his prepared remarks to salute the King, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment. “Before I read the excerpt, I make due apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave King, who is here with his beloved Queen in spite of the fact that he’s under treatment for cancer,” Abbas said, drawing applause when he revealed his own victory over cancer for “25 years and counting.” The BBC profiled Abbas’s remarkable story, underscoring the resilience and courage of those who served.
After the service, King Charles and Queen Camilla spent time with veterans of the Far East campaign and their families, sharing memories and expressing gratitude. “Today, on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all who served. Today we especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia-Pacific,” the royal couple wrote in a statement. “We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful. Lest we forget. W&C.”
While the national spotlight shone on Staffordshire, local communities across the country held their own commemorations. In Charnwood, residents gathered in Queen’s Park in Loughborough for an evening of music, community stalls, and a moving beacon lighting ceremony. The beacon, lit at 8:30 pm by Mel Gould—a former soldier and long-standing chairman of the Loughborough Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum—served as a powerful symbol of remembrance. “It was a great pleasure to light the beacon for VJ Day and honour those who served and who lost their lives in the Second World War and other conflicts. As a veteran, I feel a deep personal connection to their legacy. This ceremony reminds us that peace was hard-won, and it’s our duty to remember those who gave everything for it,” Gould reflected.
The Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor David Northage, attended the ceremony with the Mayoress, Jenny Northage, describing the event as “a deeply moving evening for our community. VJ Day reminds us of the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of those who served throughout and in the final chapter of the Second World War. Lighting the beacon in Queen’s Park was a powerful symbol of remembrance and unity, and I’m proud that Charnwood came together to honour this historic milestone.”
Similar scenes unfolded in North Yorkshire, where a flag-raising ceremony at County Hall in Northallerton was led by Council Leader Carl Les, Chairman George Jabbour, and Armed Forces Champion Kevin Foster. A two-minute silence was observed at noon, echoing across the nation. “Today we join the community in marking the 80th anniversary of when Japan announced its surrender to the Allied forces, being met with relief and celebration. VJ Day is a reminder of the resilience and sacrifice made to secure an end to war. It’s a time to reflect on the past and look to the future with optimism,” Les remarked. Jabbour added, “It is important to remember and honour those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Further south, in Waverley and East Hampshire, hundreds gathered in Bordon’s town park for an afternoon of wartime-themed activities, music, and historical displays. An immersive tent, run by The Phoenix and Woolmer Forest Heritage Society, offered visitors a glimpse into the magnitude of August 1945, while Vic Cracknell’s Swing Band and singer Stephanie Belle filled the air with classics like “We’ll Meet Again.” In Grayshott, ration-style spam sandwiches and slices of Victory Cake were served as the community launched a new book, “Wartime Memories,” capturing the stories of villagers during World War II. The Liss Royal British Legion hosted a lunch and dance after a ceremony at the village war memorial, complete with military vehicles and barbecued food—a fitting tribute to the spirit of camaraderie that defined the era.
These commemorations, both grand and intimate, were supported by organizations such as the Royal British Legion, Sea Cadets, and local libraries, with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund helping to ensure that the legacy of VJ Day endures. As beacons were lit across the UK and moments of silence observed, the message was clear: the sacrifices of those who fought in the Far East, and indeed all who endured the Second World War, will not be forgotten.
As the sun set over memorials and parks, the 80th anniversary of VJ Day served as both a remembrance of the past and a reminder of the enduring value of peace. The stories shared, the tributes paid, and the unity displayed across the nation offered a powerful testament to a generation whose legacy continues to shape the present.
